100 Words: Behind the Keyboard

I am continually astounded by the freedom some people seem to feel while hiding behind the safe anonymity of an internet screen name… the freedom to be rude, unkind, even downright cruel to their fellow human beings. I have a difficult time understanding what on earth possesses them to treat others with such disrespect, as if they had forgotten that they were speaking to an actual person, and not just a collection of typed words on a screen.

Then again, perhaps these people are like this in their everyday lives when meeting others face to face?

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Ahh… The keyboard warriors.I think people spend so much time behind their electronic devices that they have forgotten how to “properly” interact with a fellow human without adding insult.Irene Soh recently posted… DBS Marina Regatta 2014 (Post Event)

I can’t imagine how people can do that, either. I always think carefully about what I write online and I’ve never used a screen name. We always need to respect each other, whether in person, on the phone, or in e-mail or on Facebook.

Hey there, Laurel! Yes! I am amazed by anonymous people being cruel, but what REALLY amazes me is people being so with their bare face hanging out as their avatar, along with their real name for a user name. Wow! Truly, the truth is stranger than fiction. Always love your 100 Words. Thank you for sharing, Much Love, Fondly, Robin

Yes, this is astonishing, isn’t it? I have also come across some “professor” types people who can say all kinds of things on the net in discussion groups etc…or abuse other discussants or even take away the content and use it in their papers without ever bothering to get permission from the discussants…some people forget all the manners of good polite conversation/discussion when they come to online forums.Beloo Mehra recently posted… Solitude

The anonymity gives people the power to say what they think. I’m sure we are all capable of it but most of us have values that tell us otherwise — not to hurt people etc. The ones who don’t have those values, the ones who want to put others down to feel better about themselves — they are the ones who find it easy to write the meanest and most hurtful things. Not too different from face-to-face bullies…only difference is there are more targets online.Psych Babbler recently posted… Travel Tales: The Sapphire Coast from Merimbula to Bermagui

Hiding behind a screen name without revealing the actual self is fine along as the person doesn’t use rude language. But I have never use a different name.Kalpana Solsi recently posted… Waiting for the showers.

Hi Laurel
That’s a very telling though short description of what happens on this palnet everyday.Inconsiderate behaviour has been around for eons,prevails today,and will continue till humans interpret freedom in distorted colours.
While I am a strong believer of civility and stronlgy espouse kindness,I feel we have to evolve our own mechanisms for comprehending the vagaries of our experiences and staying true to our inner compass.
Here’s what i honestly feel ….

Firstly we suffer from two things the most in life:-
-Other people
-Our memories
And both of these need our constant attention to resolve unconscious baggage.We often are able to cope with trying circumstances.But we are usually at our weakest with challanging relationships and people.

Actually ,our ego comes in the way squarely.And we find ourselves unable to adjust to people ,as we would have done with difficult circumstances.We are unable to be humble.

We fear our humility will be taken advantage of and we do not reconcile easily.We live on borrowed societal beliefs about strength and show of confidence.We confuse humility and reconciliation with weakness.

We do not agree with the fact that true strength is aligning with our peace and calm regardless of outer circumstances.
Thanks
Monarichmiraclefiles recently posted… Cherish That Present Moment

What I find interesting is that even though I do not know the people that make those rude, nasty or thoughtless comments — they still hurt. I don’t think I can ever be immune or calloused enough to shrug them off. Yet, I see people who can laugh it off and not give it a second thought. Maybe some day…

Carol, I totally hear you. Even when I remind myself to “consider the source” I find it very difficult to brush off those kinds of comments. I need to learn to develop a much thicker skin. Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Water

On the other hand……..if we weren’t like that, we would be totally different people. It goes with the territory of being thoughtful, right?Carol Graham recently posted… Wouldn’t You Love To Be A Fly On The Wall?